A court with jurisdiction over child support , divorce and comparable issues. In Pennsylvania, Family Courts are part of the Court of Common Pleas.

Father's rights

Legal principles and concepts promoting the idea that custody decisions must not discriminate against fathers.

Fault - based divorce

A type of divorce to be granted if one member of the marriage is guilty of some kind of marital misconduct.

Fee simple estate

Absolute ownership unencumbered by an other interest or estate; subject only to the limitations of eminent domain, escheat, police power, and taxation.

File

To personally deliver a document to a clerk of a court so that the document can be included in the official records of a case.

Final judgment

Relitigation of a matter as the result of a judge's decision. It does not become final for purposes of appeal until the expiration of a certain amount of time.

Foreign order

A court order issued by another county, state or nation outside of the jurisdiction in which the custodial parent lives.

Forensics

A general term sometimes used by a therapist hired to evaluate a family. The therapists will state in court which parent they feel should have custody of the child. This is know as a Custody Evaluation.

Foundation

The evidence that must be presented before asking certain questions or offering documentary evidence on trial.